The purpose of this book is to provide useful information about the components of quality health care and to suggest ways for the consumer to find and avail himself of the best care possible. The following subjects are covered, including brief histories of sociological background and suggestions on how to judge competency: (1) physicians, specialists, American Medical Association; (2) dentists, American Dental Association, new trends in dentistry; (3) nursing, characteristics of nurses, nursing as a career; (4) osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, Christian Science; (5) allied health personnel, assistants, aides, administrators; (6) health maintenance organizations, group health plans; (7) hospitals, hospital accreditation, new trends in hospital care; (8) prescription drugs, Food and Drug Administration, drug prices; (9) emergency medical services; (10) medicare and medicaid; (11) nursing homes; (12) voluntary health agencies; (13) the public health department; (14) consumerism in health care. Four appendixes are short essays on: (A) arranging the first visit to a doctor; (B) sources of information on health careers; (C) priority items of public law extracted from the Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974; (D) a patient's bill of rights. Tables in the section on medicare list what medicare can and cannot pay for. (JD)